Record perforating device



Feb. 16, 1965 r L. M. SCHMIDT 3,169,697

RECORD PERFORATING DEVICE Filed Sept. 30, 1963 Vj/ 3 60 FIG. 1 1s 2 4 CIRCUIT INVENTOR LUDWIG MICHAEL SCHMIDT AT TORNE Y United States Patent 3,169,697 RERE3 PERFORATEJG DEVRIE Ludwig M. Schmidt, Bad Vilbel, Kreis Friedherg, Germany, assignor to Sperry Rand Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Deiaware Filed Sept. 39, 1963, er. No. 312,499 (Ilaims priority, application Germany Get. 12, 1%2

7 Claims. (Cl. 234-119) This invention relates to a record perforating device and more particularly to an improved form of electrically operated high speed punch mechanism.

Conventional punching devices usually consist of a series of punch bars, one for each possible column or row position, known as a serial punching device, or one for every possible position on the card, known as a gang punch. Additionally, a heavy motor driven element known as the bale is provided for driving of the punch bars. Placed between the bail, which supplies the driving force and the punch bar which permits the actual perforation of the record, are a series of interposers employed to selectively transmit the bail power to the punch bars. The interposers in turn are connected to individual lectromagnets which may be operated in accordance with some selection scheme. As a result of the large number of interposers which must be set and of the heavy weight of the bail which must be moved, certain time limits exist as to the maximum speed of operation of the device. Additionally, a timing problem exists in that the electromagnets to control the interposers must be selected during a time when the bail is not attempting to force the interposer and punch bar through the record. This puts a time limitation upon the possible actuating period for the electromagnets.

A positive mechanism is required to permit the returning of the punch bars to their initial positions from their record perforating position. This may involve in some manner the attachment by means of notches, springs, cams or other devices of a punch stripper possible requiring a further power source. The stripper operation creates a further timing problem in that it must be punch operating lever which acts as interposer and punch stripper at the same time. The device further employs a drive means which incorporates both the punching driving means and the punch return driving means in a single unitary form so that accurate timing of the punching operation and the resetting or return operation is established. Further, the electromagnetic actuator is placed in close proximity to the punch operating lever so that it operates directly upon the punch operating lever thereby eliminating the wear, friction and noise accompanying the use of individual interposers, bails and connecting linkages.

In operation, the drive means is a cam disc which has upon it a punching cam and a return cam displaced from one another so as'to provide a cam guide between them. When it is desired to operate the punch, the elec tromagnet for controlling an individual punch is actuated, forcing a cam following surface on one end of the punch operating lever to enter the cam guide. As the cam disc Ejhhfih? Patented Feb. 16, 1955 is rotated by means of a motor and shaft, the punching cam will cause the punch operating lever to be pivoted in such a manner as to force the punch bar, connected at the opposite end of the punch operating lever, through the record. During this portion of the punching cycle the electromagnet may be deenergized to retract the armature from the surface of the punch operating lever. As the cam follower on the punch operating lever leaves the cam guide, the return cam operates upon the bottom surface of the cam follower of the punch operating lever together with a biasing spring, which is placed between the punch operating lever and a support member, to restore the punch bar to its initial position. Due to the accurate placement of the punch and return cams on a single cam disc, synchronization between the punching and the return times is carefully insured. Additionally, the linkage in prior art devices required between the electromagnetic actuating device and the interposer is removed.

In the event that a punch operation is not to take place, in the device of the present invention, the cam follower of the punch operating lever will ride over top of the punching cam causing no relative movement of the punch operating lever or punch, thus decreasing the overall amount of friction and wear which normally are found in prior art devices. It is thus obvious that the punch operating lever will only be operated when a punching operation is necessary. A plurality of individual punch units, as described, may be stacked to permit the punching of as many positions as are desired along the punch line. The only requirement would be the placing of additional cams with the described punching and return cams along the length of the drive shaft at positions cor- {esponding to the various punch positions along the punch It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved form of electrically operated high speed punch mechanism.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an electrically operated high speed punching device which reduces the friction and wear normally accompanying prior art punching mechanisms.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an electrically actuated high speed punching device which employs a unitary structure for operating the punch mech anism, and for providing a proper return or restoration of the punches.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an electrically actuated high speed punching device wherein the drive means. ineffective to operate the punch during non-selected or non-punching cycles of operation.

It 1s a further object of this invention to provide an electrically operated high speed punching mechanismwherein the interposer and interposer linkage as found in prior art devices are eliminated and wherein an electromagnetic actuating device -is arranged to operatedirectly upon tions.

Further objects and features of the invention will be pointed out in the following descriptions and claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which disclose, by way of example, the principles of the invention and the best mode'which has been contemplated for carrying it out.

In the drawings 1 FIGURE 1 illustrates a card punchingv device constructed in accordance with the basic'concepts of the invention and illustrates the device in-the non-select or nonpunchingmode. r f I FIGURE 2 illustrates a portion of the device ore-Fro- URE l indicatingthe manner in which the 'electrornag' a punch operating lever to cause punching operalobe 38 and the leading edge 42 of the cam follower 40 has entered the cam guide 58. As the cam disc 48 continues to rotate the upper surface 46 of the cam follower will follow the lower surface 59 of the punch cam 56, causing the punch operating lever 2 to be pivoted in a clockwise direction about pivot 4. As a result, the surface 3 of the punch operating lever 2 engages the surface 24 of the aperture 22 of the punch 20 whereby the punch 20 is moved upwardly as the lever 2 is rotated. The relative curvatures of the cam follower 49 and the punch cam 56 are so chosen that sufficient rotation of the punch operating lever 2 is achieved to permit the punch 20 to be moved through the aperture 28 in the die block 30 through the record 36 into the aperture 32 in a die plate 34. It should be noted that all drive power for punching is provided by the cam disc 48 motor unit and that the armature 70 merely serves to control the position of cam follower 49.

Once the cam follower 44 has entered the cam guide 58, the current provided by the selection circuit 64 may be turned off. The control of the punch operating lever 2 from this point forth will be by means of the cam disc 48. Thus, in FIGURE 3 there is illustrated the arrangement of the components of FIGURE 1 during the punching cycle after the selection circuit 64 stops providing current to the electromagnetic means 60. The punch bar continues its upward movement but the armature 68 is returned to its initial position by means of spring '72 along the guide pins 76.

Further, FIGURE 3 illustrates the relationship of the punching cam 56 and the cam follower 49 at the position of maximum travel of the punch bar 20. It should be noted from FIGURE 3 that the spring 12 has been stretched as the punch operating lever 2 has been rotated. It should further be noted that for further rotation of the cam disc 48 the lower surface 47 of the cam follower 40 will begin to engage surface of the return cam 54. The cam follower 40 will continue in the cam guide 58 for a short portion of the following notation of the cam disc 48. However, as the cam follower 46 leaves the cam guide 58, the cam follower 40 Will be acted upon only by means of the return cam 54. The action of the return cam 54 on the lower surface 47 of the cam follower 40, concurrently with the attempt 'of the spring 12 to compress to its normal position as shown in FIGURE 1 causes the punch operating lever 2 to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to return to its static position as shown in F1- URE l. The maximum return force will be exerted at the time that the highest point of return cam 54 is engaging a lower surface 47 of the cam follower 4 During the further rotation of the cam disc 48 no further forces are exerted on the punch operating lever 2 by means of the cam disc 48. The punch 20 has now been returned to its rest position as shown in FIGURE 1, and is ready for further operation.

The cycle just described with reference to a single punching operation will be repeated for'every punching operation required. As was described above, at times when no punching operation or the non-select cycle is called for the cam follower 4t merely rides over the top surface 57 of the punching cam 56 without relative motion of the punch operating lever 2. As a result of this mode of operation, frictional forces which are normally created at bearings are greatly reduced. Further, it is obvious by means of the direct application of a force by the armature portion 79 of the electromagnetic means 60 to the punch operating lever 2 the need for an interposer and for linkages between such electromagnetic means and an interposer for setting it are eliminated. By selection of proper speeds of rotation and dimensions of the various cams and cam followers, a smooth, relatively noiseless interaction between the cam follower and cams can be achieved, thus eliminating the noise normally associated with punching devices. Further, by means of the unitary structure placing the punching cam 56 and the return cam .cam guide.

3. In a. record perforating device, a punching assembly 54 upon a single cam disc 4:? a positive return means for the punch is provided without the necessity of additional equipment and the usual synchonization problems.

Only a single punch unit has been shown and described. It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the device may be expanded to provide for the punching of as many columnar positions as are desired. That is, for a serial arrangement 12 or positions may be provided depending upon the direction of feed of the card. Additionally, if it is desired to provide this as a gang punch 960 of these units would be provided to permit punching of all positions at the same time. In order that, for example, a 12 punch assembly might be constructed the support member 8 would be provided with 12 recesses such as 6. Punch operating levers 2 would be provided in each of the recesses. A single shaft 50 wouldbe provided with properly spaced cam discs 48 and punching and return cams 56 and 54 respectively, spaced along the shaft to cooperate with the individual cam followers 40 of the punch operating levers 2. A- separate set of punches and actuators 60 would be required for each punch unit. A single guide block 34) and guide plate 34 would be required with a plurality of apertures 23 and 32 therein, respectively.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and details of the device illustrated and its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a record perforating device, a punching assembly comprising: a punch operating lever, said lever arranged to be moved in arcuate paths; a punch bar coupled to a first end of said punch operating lever and movable by said lever to a position to permit perforation of a record; biasing means connected to said punch operating lever to place said lever in a non-perforating position; drive means to selectively move said punch operating lever between said non-perforating position and said record perforating position, and means selectively operable to cause said pun-ch operating lever to engage said drive means; said drive means comprising a driven cam disc having a return cam and a separate punch cam, said punch cam being so placed upon said cam disc as to hold said punch operating lever in engagement with said drive means during said record perforation, whereby said punch cam controls the position of said punch operating lever after said selectively operable means ceases to cause said punch operating lever to engage said drive means.

2. In a record perforating device, a punching assembly comprising: a punch operating lever, said lever arranged to be moved in arcuate paths; a punch bar coupled to a first end of said punch operating lever and movable by said lever to a position to permit perforation of a record;

biasing means connected'to said punch operating lever to place said lever in a non-perforating position; drive means to selectively move said punch operating lever between said non-perforating position and said record perforating position, said drive means comprising a driven cam disc having a return cam and a punching cam, said cams being placed upon said cam disc to form a cam guide; and means selectively operable to cause said punch operating lever to engage said cam guide; said cam guide controlling said punch operating lever during said record perforation and after said selectively operable means ceases to cause said punch operating lever to engage said comprising: a punch operating lever, said lever arranged to be moved in arcuate paths; said lever further having acam follower surface mounted at a first end of said V lever; a punch bar coupled to said second end of said lever and adapted to be moved by said lever to a position to permit perforation of a record; biasing means connected to said lever to place said lever in a non-perforating position; drive means adapted to selectively move said lever between said non-perforating position and said record perforating position, said drive means comprising a driven cam disc having a return cam and a punching cam, said cams being placed upon said cam disc to form a cam guide; and actuator means selectively operable-to cause said lever cam follower surface to enter saidcam guide and cause said lever to be moved in a first direction and move said punch bar to said perforating position, said lever further moving in a second di rection to move said punch bar to said non-perforating position upon said cam follower surface leaving said earn guide, the movement of said lever in said second direction being caused by said return cam and by said biasing means. v V

4. A device as claimed in claim '3, wherein said actuator means is an electrically operable magnet.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said act uator means is a selectively operable electromagnet, which when operated causes its armature to engage said punch operating lever placing said can follower surface in said cam guide, said electromagnet operation being terminated shortly after the entry of said cam follower surface into said earn guide. i

6. In a record perforating device, a punching assembly comprising a punch operating lever, said lever arranged to be moved in arcuate paths; a punch'bar coupled to a first end of said punch operating lever, said punch bar normally remaining in a non-perforating position and movable by said lever to ,a position to permit perforation of a record; drive means to selectively moveisaid punch operating lever between said non-perforatingposition and said record perforating position, and 1113311886? lectively operable to cause said punchoperating lever to engage said drive means; said drive means comprising a driv'encasn disc having'a return cam and a separate punch cam, said punch cam being so placed upon said cam: disc as to hold said punch operating lever in engagement with said drive means during said record perforation whereby saidpunchcam controls the position of said punch opcrating lever after'saidselectively operable means' ceases to cause said punch operatinglever to engagelsaid drive 7. In a record perforating device, a punchin assembly j comprising: a punc'h'operating lever, said lever arranged to be moved in arcuate paths; ca punchbar coupled to a operating lever between said 'non perforating" position and said record perforating position; and means selectiveiy operable *to' causesaid punchoperating lever to engage said drive means; said drive means comprising a driven cani disc having a return cam and a holding means,

said holdin means being so placed upon said cam disc as to hold said punch operating lever in engagement with saiddrive means during said record perforation, whereby said holding means controls the position of said punch operating lever after said selectively, operable means ceases to cause said punch operating lever to' engage said drive means. 7 s a 7 References Cited in the file of this patent V 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,741,312 I "Johnson 'A r. 1c, 1955 2,761,513 Strarn se ta, 1956 2,964,108 Snyder et'al. V V Decfl3, 1960' 

1. IN A RECORD PERFORATING DEVICE, A PUNCHING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: A PUNCH OPERATING LEVER, SAID LEVER ARRANGED TO BE MOVED IN ARCUATE PATHS; A PUNCH BAR COUPLED TO A FIRST END OF SAID PUNCH OPERATING LEVER AND MOVABLE BY SAID LEVER TO A POSITION TO PERMIT PERFORATION OF A RECORD; BIASING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID PUNCH OPERATING LEVER TO PLACE SAID LEVER IN A NON-PERFORATING POSITION; DRIVE MEANS TO SELECTIVELY MOVE SAID PUNCH OPERATING LEVER BETWEEN SAID NON-PERFORATING POSITION AND SAID RECORD PERFORATING POSITION, AND MEANS SELECTIVELY OPERABLE TO CAUSE SAID PUNCH OPERATING LEVER TO ENGAGE SAID DRIVE MEANS; SAID DRIVE MEANS COMPRISING A DRIVEN CAM DISC HAVING A RETURN CAM AND A SEPARATE PUNCH CAM, SAID PUNCH CAM BEING SO PLACED UPON SAID CAM DISC AS TO HOLD SAID PUNCH OPERATING LEVER IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DRIVE MEANS DURING SAID RECORD PERFORATION, WHEREBY SAID PUNCH CAM CONTROLS THE POSITION OF SAID PUNCH OPERATING LEVER AFTER SAID SELECTIVELY OPERABLY MEANS CEASES TO CAUSE SAID PUNCH OPERATING LEVER TO ENGAGE SAID DRIVE MEANS. 